Winter recreation at Mt. Ashland has been put on hold as the popular Southern Oregon ski area announced it will pause ski operations indefinitely beginning January 15, 2026. The decision comes after a prolonged stretch of low snowpack, unseasonably warm temperatures, and a weather forecast that shows no meaningful snowfall in the days ahead.
Mt. Ashland officials said the move was necessary to preserve safety and sustainability on the mountain, despite extensive efforts by staff to open and maintain terrain under challenging conditions. Crews worked diligently throughout the early season to make the most of limited snowfall, but ongoing warm weather has made it increasingly difficult to maintain skiable conditions.
In a message to the community, Mt. Ashland expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support shown by guests during what has been a frustrating winter for snow sports enthusiasts. Visitors and locals alike offered words of encouragement and understanding, which staff said played an important role in keeping morale high as teams worked long hours to keep lifts turning for as long as possible.
Guests who purchased lift tickets, rentals, or lessons scheduled for upcoming days will receive full refunds. Resort officials advised customers to monitor their email inboxes for refund notifications and additional details as processing begins.
Families involved in Mt. Ashland’s School and Youth Group Learn-to-Ski Program will also be contacted directly. The mountain’s School Group Program Coordinator will work with volunteer coordinators to determine whether program dates can be adjusted later in the season if weather conditions improve and operations are able to resume.
The pause highlights a broader concern being felt across many smaller ski areas in the Pacific Northwest and beyond, where inconsistent snowfall and warmer winters are becoming more common. For Mt. Ashland, which relies heavily on natural snowfall, these conditions can quickly impact both operations and the local winter economy tied to mountain recreation.
Despite the setback, the message from the mountain remains hopeful. Staff say they will continue closely monitoring weather forecasts and snow levels, ready to resume operations if winter conditions return. Until then, the Mt. Ashland community is being asked to remain patient and optimistic.
For now, the sentiment echoing across the mountain is simple and familiar to skiers everywhere, hope for snow. Updates will be shared as conditions change and new information becomes available.